Carmakers don't typically ask prospective customers how long the warranty should be on their new car. That decision is usually made based on how much the manufacturer thinks longer warranty coverage will cost and what its competitors might be doing. However, as we enter the era of electrification we are dealing with a major new factor: the battery packs.

When poked and prodded hard enough, an automaker occasionally lets some information squeak out without intentions to do so. Luckily, we almost immediately get wind of any slip-up and bring it directly to you. Case in point: CNN Money writer Peter Valdes-Dapena spoke with Nissan spokesman Steve Oldham. Among other things, the discussion focused on production numbers for the Leaf. As expected, Oldham's responses were scarce on details, but he may have inadvertently let some specifics fly.

The initial surge for Nissan Leaf pre-orders has long since died down, but the company is still steadily racking up more potential sales, albeit at a much slower rate. The last time that we updated the Leaf's pre-order status, U.S. interest stood at 13,000 strong with an additional 6,000 claimed in Japan. Now, Nissan reports that more than 15,000 U.S. buyers have plunked down their $99 reservation fee and stepped in line for the Leaf. Combining the U.S. and Japan, pre-orders for the Leaf now sta

In auto speak, conquest sales can be loosely defined as a legal form of stealing from others, as in taking potential sales away from other models or swiping buyers who are typically loyal to another brand. Conquest sales are highly coveted, and most automakers actually aim to make vehicles that will sway buyers away from another brand and towards a lifelong commitment to its models. If gaining conquest sales was Nissan's goal with the Leaf, early results show that it succeeded in spades.

Virtually every popular car that's also produced in low quantities is subject to dealer price gouging. High demand, coupled with low supply, typically allows dealers to get away with charging customers more than the sticker price for these rare vehicles. We had thought that the Nissan Leaf would be no exception to this trend. However, Nissan's director of product planning for North America, Mark Perry believes that it's not gonna happen with the Leaf.

If you aren't already on the list to purchase a 2011 Nissan Leaf, you're officially out of luck. During a speech to the Detroit Economic Club today, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that the U.S. market allotment for the first year's production of Leafs is already sold out more than six months before the EV even goes on sale. Nissan has now received 13,000 orders for the $32,780 electric car – quite impressive for a vehicle almost no one's driven.

If you aren't already on the list to purchase a 2011 Nissan Leaf, you're officially out of luck. During a speech to the Detroit Economic Club today, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that the U.S. market allotment for the first year's production of Leafs is already sold out more than six months before the EV even goes on sale. Nissan has now received 13,000 orders for the $32,780 electric car in the U.S., and 6,000 more in Japan– quite impressive for a vehicle almost no one's driven.